BLUES’ Irish star Keith Fahey admits to being relieved that he has not suffered a repeat of the homesickness that ruined his career the last time he was in England.

Fahey has been one of the discoveries of the season for Alex McLeish, having swiftly become a regular fixture in the Blues team.

The Irish midfielder has already turned out to be a bargain buy from League of Ireland outfit St Patrick’s Athletic for a fee that could rise to £500,000.

However, Fahey, who officially became a Blues player in January, has admitted he was worried about trying to settle into life in the Second City again.

After an ill-fated spell as a trainee with Arsenal, the Dubliner did not fare much better when he moved to Villa, then managed by John Gregory, and returned to Ireland due to homesickness.

There has been no repeat this time for the 26-year-old.

“I’ve been over here for four months and I haven’t missed home at all,” said Fahey, who has made 13 starts and four substitute appearances for Blues.

“It’s going well but I’m starting to feel it a little bit now because I haven’t had much of a break (due to the League of Ireland season only finishing in November), so I’m trying to get over the line for the end of the season and have a break then.”